I think skating for Poland would be the best choice for her... As fleeting pointed out, she could begin competing internationally for Poland almost immediatly, and she could at least have a chance to compete at Worlds (her level will clearly not be high enough in the USA)
Anyway, good luck for her personal year!

I think skating for Poland would be the best choice for her... As fleeting pointed out, she could begin competing internationally for Poland almost immediatly, and she could at least have a chance to compete at Worlds (her level will clearly not be high enough in the USA)

It really depends what her goals are. If she is hoping to be a World Champion and make a living long-term doing shows as a headliner like Mao or Yuna, that isn't going to happen. If her goal is to skate because she loves competing and loves the sport, she can cut expenses by living at home and pursue skating in a way that isn't too costly. Perhaps reducing the financial pressure might improve her competitive results.

this article is really emocional and breathtaking.. here is the story of Zawadzki family.... the difficulties that had to happen for Agnes become a member of the Olympic team, and the hard work of her mother, grueling work hours... I really hope the best for Agnes and her mother.. she definitively is an inspiration!

this article is really emocional and breathtaking.. here is the story of Zawadzki family.... the difficulties that had to happen for Agnes become a member of the Olympic team, and the hard work of her mother, grueling work hours... I really hope the best for Agnes and her mother.. she definitively is an inspiration!

Good Lord, what an article. Jolanta Zawadski makes me think of some of my Eastern European friends, who have also worked as home health aides, housekeepers, and hotel chambermaids, often six or seven days a week, so they can give their kids a good start in life. Often people double up in their apartments, sharing maybe with an adult son or the brother, to save everyone some rent money. They often send money home to the rest of the family (maybe grandchildren) in the old country. Having seen this up close, I can begin to imagine what the Zawadskis' daily life has been like. The burden on Mrs. Zawadski is great, but it's also significant for Agnes, who must feel at this moment that it was all for naught. and that she is the culprit. That's devastating. (She's wrong, but at the moment of extreme loss, that's what seems most obvious.)

When a life of sacrifice doesn't lead to the desired goal, what happens next? Not that the other skaters are any less deserving of glory than Agnes, but there's a special heartbreak when such extraordinary adversity is involved. I hope that whatever Agnes does next, there is a happy outcome for all of them, and a productive life that is a little less stringent.

When a life of sacrifice doesn't lead to the desired goal, what happens next? Not that the other skaters are any less deserving of glory than Agnes, but there's a special heartbreak when such extraordinary adversity is involved. I hope that whatever Agnes does next, there is a happy outcome for all of them, and a productive life that is a little less stringent.

She didn't achieve her skating goals. She can either be devastated about it, or be proud of the fact that she was able to represent the US in competitions around the world and skate along side the best skaters in the world. There are so few spot at the top that I wish these skaters would find the silver lining in their very impressive careers when they don't become Olympians or world medalists.

this article is really emocional and breathtaking.. here is the story of Zawadzki family.... the difficulties that had to happen for Agnes become a member of the Olympic team, and the hard work of her mother, grueling work hours... I really hope the best for Agnes and her mother.. she definitively is an inspiration!

My goodness! What an emotional read!

After reading that, I'm feeling really guilty about how flippant I have been over the past couple of years calling for Agnes to switch to representing Poland.

Although I knew Agnes was not from the most well-off background, I had no idea that it was this extreme.

I cannot think of any words that do justice to what Jolanta has done for her daughter. She is simply remarkable.

I never realised that Agnes' father was never in the picture, even when he was alive. So for her mother to single-handedly raise her family, and then for her to let her daughter persue her love of skating, even though it is one of the most expensive sports to get involved in. It says a lot about the sort of woman Jolanta is. A mother who would sacrifice everything for her family.

Olympia was spot on. I know these are generalisations based on stereotypes, but they are so true. The most important thing to most Eastern Europeans is family. And that is the reason Eastern Europeans are such hard workers: they want to make life better for their family.

And I can understand why Agnes may feel that she has failed, and has let everybody down, especially her mother. But she has not.

Everybody makes mistakes, or has off-days. The problem with figure skating is that if these happen at the wrong time, it can have long lasting consequences. Figure skating is such a fickle sport - it doesn't matter how well you have been doing all season, all that matters is what happens in those 3 minutes or so on competition day.

Although simple mistakes meant she didn't get selected to go to Sochi, Agnes has achieved so much at such a young age.

I am sure there are millions of little girls out there who would love to grow up and achieve what she has. But very few of them will. That Agnes has managed to do so, when everything was stacked against her, is all down to the hard work of her and her remarkable mother.

BTW, speaking of shows, Agnes did perform (delightfully) in the "US Legends on Ice" show (Olympians of the past & this past season's hopefuls). The show took place in early December in Northern NJ, but was aired a few days before the Olympics began. I imagine her performance (and Adam's ) weren't shown because of how they finished @ US Nationals. Of course I wish they had been shown!

I wonder if Agnes maybe would have done better if she didn't have all that pressure on her shoulders. Clearly she loves skating, but hopefully she wasn't still competing because she felt she needed to give something back after all her mother's sacrifices.. sometimes, offering an Olympic moment "back," so it seems that the sacrifices have been "worth it," just isn't possible for some people. I put "worth it" in quotes because I know that people find other worth in pursuing athletic careers besides going to the Olympics, and just because someone doesn't make the Olympics doesn't make their career a waste.

I don't know what to think, except that I hope it works out well for Agnes. It was so painful to watch her at Nationals and to understand the extra pressure on her stemming from what she and her family had sacrificed up to that point. The idea of her skating for Poland is a nice one, but whatever she does moving forward, I hope it gives her satisfaction and a feeling of hopefulness and accomplishment.

This but I wish her to skate for Poland. This girl has exquisite jumps. Her fears are her issue. I hope polish community on boards benefit her. She is a powerful skater and refreshing. I think of her as Jane Eyre-a simple girl among the roses. Sorry Agnes we will all miss you . Poverty is very tough. We love you!

I guess I don't know what she'd gain by skating for another country. She'll still be up against the same competition internationally. All it MIGHT buy her is a national title. I find something kind of weird about that when you change countries just to possibly win a title because you can't win one in the country you live in. Quite a hollow victory IMO.

I remembering watching Agnes at her first Senior Nationals - Wow! What a performance! I have always been disappointed that the has never seemed to "shine" as brightly again.

I assumed that her family's finances were well known. During that debut performance, I remember the commentators mentioning how her mom worked 7 days a week cleaning homes so that Agnes could ice skate.

I wish Agnes and her entire family good luck in whatever they choose to pursue.

It is always sad to see someone's dreams go unfulfilled. But perhaps she can pursue a collegiate skating direction, get her degree in something that she loves, skate with a college and see where that takes her. Even good, accomplished skaters could not rely solely on their skating but had to develop business or other skills to truly succeed in life. Head up Agnes!